• SDS connector metal screw on a white background
  • Heavy duty SDS connector screws on a white background
  • Black metal OHU corner brace with SDS Connector screws on a wooden surface
  • Metal deck bracket attached to wooden beams with SDS screws on a wooden surface
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SDS Heavy-Duty Connector Screw

SDS Heavy-Duty Connector Screw

The Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector Screw delivers proven strength, reliability, and ease of installation — from standard structural work to the toughest outdoor environments. Available in 316 stainless steel and double barrier coated versions.

Key Features

  • Type 316 stainless steel for maximum corrosion protection.
  • No predrilling necessary in most applications.
  • Driver bit included (replacement driver bit — BITHEXR516-R1 or BITHEXR12-R1).
  • Can be used in ledger applications.
  • Unique “box” thread design with raised-ridge technology significantly reduces driving torque .
  • Hex-washer head provides large bearing area.

Applications

  • Structural wood-to-wood and engineered-wood connections, including ledger.

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Wooden deck construction with tools and materials on a wooden platform

Product Info

The Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector Screw is a 0.250" diameter, high-strength structural wood screw designed for connector installations, wood-to-wood, and engineered wood applications. It installs easily without predrilling, thanks to its Type-17 point, and has been thoroughly tested for performance in demanding structural uses.

The SDS line features a corrosion-resistant double-barrier coating for standard applications, and a Type 316 stainless-steel version for environments where maximum corrosion resistance is required.

Both options offer the same smooth, split-reducing installation and proven Simpson Strong-Tie quality trusted by professionals.

Technical Specs

Allowable Shear Loads | Douglas Fir–Larch & Southern Pine Lumber

See footnotes below.

Allowable Shear Loads | Spruce-Pine-Fir & Hem-Fir

Table showing reference SPF/RH allowable shear loads for wood side plate thicknesses.

1. Noted loads are based on testing per ICC-ES AC233 and assume a minimum main member thickness of the screw length minus the side member thickness. All other allowable loads are based on the NDS and a minimum penetration of 6D = 1.5" into the main member.

2. Values are valid for a connection involving only two members. Where the side and main members have different specific gravities, the lower specific gravity shall be used.

3. Allowable loads are also applicable to structural composite lumber (e.g., LVL, PSL, and LSL) having an equivalent specific gravity of 0.50 or greater.

4. Allowable loads are shown at the wood load duration factor of CD = 1.00. Loads may be increased for load duration by the building code up to a CD = 1.60. The designer shall apply all adjustment factors required per NDS.

5. Loads are based on perpendicular installation into the side grain of the wood members.

6. Loads apply to corresponding stainless-steel models.

7. For in-service moisture greater than 19% use CM = 0.7.

Reference Allowable Withdrawal Loads | Douglas Fir-Larch, Southern Pine, Spruce-Pine-Fir & Hem-Fir Lumber

Table with specifications for different model numbers of a product, including length, thread length, and withdrawal loads.

1. The tabulated reference withdrawal design value, W, is in pounds per inch of the thread penetration into the side grain of the main member.

2. The tabulated reference withdrawal design value, Wmax, is in pounds where the entire thread length must penetrate into the side grain of the main member.

3. The tabulated reference withdrawal design values, W and Wmax, are shown at a CD = 1.0. For end-grain withdrawl, use Ceg = 0.65. Tabulated values must be multiplied by all applicable adjustment factors from the NDS as referenced in the IBC or IRC.

4. Embedded thread length is that portion held in the main member including the screw tip.

5. Values are based on the lesser of withdrawal from the main member or pull-through of a 1 1/2" side member.

6. For in-service moisture content greater than 19%, use CM = 0.7.

Allowable Shear Loads for Ledger to Studs

Table comparing fastener lengths, model numbers, ledger sizes, number of screws per stud, allowable shear loads for DFL/SP and SPF/HF, with columns labeled '3/8"' and '1/2"'.

1. The tabulated reference withdrawal design value, W, is in pounds per inch of the thread penetration into the side grain of the main member.

2. The tabulated reference withdrawal design value, Wmax, is in pounds where the entire thread length must penetrate into the side grain of the main member.

3. The tabulated reference withdrawal design values, W and Wmax, are shown at a CD = 1.0. For end-grain withdrawl, use Ceg = 0.65. Tabulated values must be multiplied by all applicable adjustment factors from the NDS as referenced in the IBC or IRC.

4. Embedded thread length is that portion held in the main member including the screw tip.

5. Values are based on the lesser of withdrawal from the main member or pull-through of a 1 1/2" side member.

6. For in-service moisture content greater than 19%, use CM = 0.7.

1. Allowable loads are limited to parallel-to-grain loaded solid-sawn main members (2" nominal). Wood side members may be loaded parallel or perpendicular to grain (see footnote 4).

2. DFL/SP allowable loads are based on wood members having a minimum specific gravity of 0.50, and SPF/HF allowable loads are based on wood members having a minimum specific gravity of 0.42. Where the side and main members have different specific gravities, the lower values shall be used.

3. Allowable loads are shown at the wood load duration factor of CD = 1.00. Loads may be increased for load duration by the building code up to a CD = 1.60.

4. Minimum spacing of fasteners is 3" o.c., minimum end distance is 3" for all parallel-to-grain loaded members, or 4" for all perpendicular-to-grain loaded members, and minimum edge distance is 3/4" for all parallel-to-grain loaded members, or 1 1/2" for perpendicular-to-grain loaded side members.

5. Screws may be installed with a maximum 1/2" thick intermediate layer of wood structural panel between the side and main member provided the wood structural panel is fastened to the main member per code and the minimum penetration of the screw into the main member (excluding the wood structural panel) is met.

6. Fastener loads are based on the lesser of single fastener ICC-ES AC233 testing with a safety factor of 5.0 or ICC-ES AC13 assembly testing with a factor of safety of 5.0.

Allowable Shear Values for Sole-to-Rim Connections

Table detailing specifications for rim boards with various dimensions and plate thicknesses.

1. Allowable loads are based on testing per ICC-ES AC233 and are limited to parallel-to-grain loading.

2. Allowable loads are shown at the wood load duration factor of CD = 1.00. Loads may be increased for load duration by the building code up to a CD = 1.60.

3. Minimum spacing of the SDS for sawn lumber applications is 3" o.c., minimum end distance is 3", and minimum edge distance is 5/8".

4. Minimum spacing of the SDS for LVL and LSL applications is 6" o.c., minimum end distance is 6", and minimum edge distance is 5/8".

5. Wood structural panel up to 1 1/8" thick is permitted between the sole plate and rim board provided it is fastened to the rim board per code and the minimum penetration of the screw into the rim board is met.

6. A double 2x sole/top plate is permitted provided it is independently fastened per the code and the minimum screw penetration per the table is met.

7. Minimum rim board height shall be 9 1/4" when using SDS screws for sole and top plate fastening.

8. Sole-to-rim loads can be achieved without a wall below.

024, 2021 & 2018 IRC Compliant Spacing for a Sawn Lumber Deck Ledger-to-Rim Board

Table with construction material specifications for deck joist loading conditions to be IRC compliant

1. Solid-sawn rim board shall be spruce-pine-fir, hem-fir, Douglas fir–larch, or southern pine species. Ledger shall be hem-fir, Douglas fir–larch, or southern pine species.

2. Fastener spacings are based on single fastener testing of the Strong-Drive SDS screw with a safety factor of 5.0 and include NDS wet service adjustment factor.

3. Multiple ledger plies shall be fastened together per code independent of the SDS screws.

4. SDS screw spacing values (above) are equivalent to 2024/2021/2018 IRC Table R507.9.1.3(1) and 2015 IRC Table R507.2, based on testing of the Strong-Drive SDS screw with a factor of safety of 5.0. The table above also provides SDS screw spacing for a wider range of materials commonly used for rim board, and an alternate loading condition as required by some jurisdictions.

5. Screw models SDS25312, SDS25312SS and SDS25500.

6. Fastener loads are based on the lesser of single fastener ICC-ES AC233 testing with a safety factor of 5.0 or ICC-ES AC13 assembly testing with a factor of safety of 5.0.

Allowable Shear Loads | Steel Side-Plate Applications

Table displaying allowable loads for different model lengths and plate thicknesses.

1. Allowable loads are shown at the wood load duration factor of CD = 1.00. Loads may be increased for load duration up to a CD = 1.60.

2. Withdrawal loads shown are in pounds (lb.) and are based on the lessor value of either head pull-through for a 1.5"-thick wood side member or withdrawal from the main member. If entire thread length is not installed into the main member, calculate withdrawal based on 172 lb./in. of thread penetration for DFL/SP wood and 121 lb./in. for SPF/HF wood. Maximum withdrawal values with a steel side plate are 635 lb. for 16 ga. and 800 lb. for 14 ga. due to head pull-through.

3. LSL wood-to-wood applications that require 4 1/2", 5", 6" and 8" SDS screws are limited to interior-dry use only.

4. Minimum spacing requirements are listed in ICC-ES ESR-2236.